NOW PLAYING

Arab League backs Libya trial for Gaddafi son

Bloc says it supports Libya's hosting of trial of Saif al-Islam, son of former Libya leader, in defiance of ICC request.

01 May 2012 10:08 GMT

Saif al-Islam has been in custody since his capture on November 19, 2011 [Reuters]

The Arab League has said it supports Libya in its desire to try Saif al-Islam, son of killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, on its territory.

"The Arab League supports the Libyan position to hold the trial of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in front of a Libyan justice," tribunal, the pan-Arab organisation said in a statement on Monday.

"The Libyan government has repeatedly assured that all conditions ... would be met to organise a fair and impartial trial on its territory."

Saif was arrested in November in southern Libya and is now held in the town of Zintan, 180km southwest of Tripoli, the capital, by former rebels who fought his father's forces during last year's conflict.

On April 6, Libya filed an appeal against the request of the International Criminal Court for the immediate transfer of Saif, wanted for crimes against humanity by the court. The ICC, located in The Hague, in the Netherlands, has rejected the Libyan appeal.